The Compassion of Christ
Today, I want to talk about a virtue at the very core of Christianity — a virtue that was embodied by our Saviour Jesus Christ, and one that He instructed us to carry forth: Compassion.
In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 25, verses 34 to 40, we find a parable that illuminates the essence of Christian duty. Here, Jesus describes a judgement scene, where the righteous are distinguished from the unrighteous. What is the criteria? It isn't knowledge, wealth or status; it's compassion.
The righteous are those who fed the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty, welcomed the stranger, clothed the naked, and visited the sick and the imprisoned. The righteous, in their compassion, were unwittingly serving Christ Himself, and it's through these acts of selflessness, that they are granted the gift of eternal life.
It's easy, isn't it, to get swept away by the turbulent currents of our times? News of conflict, hatred, and selfishness can cause us to question if goodness still exists. Yet, we only have to turn our gaze towards moments of kindness and compassion to see the radiant hope of God's enduring love.
Consider the story of a remarkable man named Rob Burrows. A famous Rugby league player, Rob has been battling Motor Neurone Disease, a formidable adversary. Despite his personal struggle, he has channelled his energy into raising over £8 million for MND research. His bravery has stirred the hearts of his community, who rallied around him in an unforgettable demonstration of unity and compassion.
A fellow player, Kevin Sinfield, displayed a moving act of friendship during the "Rob Burrows" Marathon. Kevin pushed Rob in a wheelchair throughout the gruelling 26 miles. Just before the finish line, Kevin lifted Rob in his arms, carrying him across. This moment was a testament to the transformative power of compassion.
These acts may not always bear the label of Christianity, but they are a manifestation of the Christ-like virtues Paul enumerates in Galatians 5:22-23 - "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." These acts are reflections of God’s divine love, working through us, regardless of our religious affiliations.
Yet, even amidst such demonstrations of love, kindness, and compassion, we still yearn for Christ's return. We crave His divine peace, His unmerited grace, and His merciful forgiveness. As we wait in joyful hope for the second coming of our Lord, we are called to keep the memory of Jesus's selfless compassion alive.
As we partake in the Lord's Supper, let us remember Jesus's sacrifice. The bread that we break signifies His body, offered up for us. The wine that we share represents His blood, shed for the remission of our sins. This sacred tradition strengthens our resolve to follow Jesus's path, to be bearers of His boundless love and compassion.
The acts of mercy we perform, the gestures of kindness we make, the compassion we exhibit, are not just good deeds. They are the tangible evidence of God's love operating in us. They are the glimmers of the kingdom of God, breaking through in our world. Our sacred calling is to be the ambassadors of Christ's love and mercy.
So, my dear friends, let us be inspired by stories of compassion, let us spur each other on towards acts of kindness, let us live out the love of Jesus in every aspect of our lives. Remember this today: our world is still ripe with love, kindness, and compassion, and as disciples of Christ, it is our sacred duty to ensure these divine virtues flourish.
In these challenging times, when despair might try to claim our hearts, let us remember the apostle Paul's comforting words in Romans 8:38-39, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
And this love, dear friends, is not a passive emotion. It calls us to action, to service, to be the hands and feet of Christ in our broken world. We may not change the entire world, but each act of compassion can change someone's world.
We're all familiar with the saying, "charity begins at home," but let me remind you that it certainly doesn't end there. Jesus' message was one of inclusion, of reaching out to the marginalised, the overlooked, the least of His brethren. So let us endeavour to extend our circle of compassion beyond our comfort zones, beyond the familiar, touching the lives of those who are often left in the shadows.
The Gospel of Matthew doesn't only glorify the acts of the righteous; it also presents a stern warning. Jesus condemns those who turned a blind eye to the needs of others. They are sent away, not because they committed heinous crimes, but because they lacked compassion. Their indifference made them complicit in the suffering of others.
So, we ought to ask ourselves, do our lives bear the mark of Christ's compassion? When we come across a person in need, do we see an inconvenience or do we see Christ? As followers of Christ, let us strive to see the face of Jesus in every person we meet, and serve them as we would serve our Lord.
Friends, the time to show love and compassion is now. We're not promised tomorrow, but we have today, and it's in the simplicity and immediacy of the present that we can embody the love of Christ. In the words of Mother Teresa, "Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love."
As we move forward, let our lives be characterised by acts of compassion, acts that mirror Christ's love for us. Let us infuse our communities with this love and let us inspire others to do the same. Remember, it's not about grand gestures; it's about genuine care, a simple act of kindness can echo into eternity.
And as we step out today, let’s carry within us this nugget of divine wisdom from the book of Hebrews 13:2, "Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it." May we become angels in the lives of those we meet, reflecting the love and compassion of Christ.
The world needs Jesus, yes, but while we wait for his glorious return, the world can see and feel him through us. We're the bearers of his image, the torchbearers of his compassion. So, let's step out in faith, live out in love, and be the living testimony of God's compassion in our world.
May God guide and strengthen us on this path of compassion. Amen.
